A UK magazine will not publish a controversial cartoon of prophet Mohammed, after police said they could not guarantee protection for its staff if it went ahead, the editor said.

The Liberal magazine was intending to publish one of the 12 Danish cartoons which have caused global uproar - alongside a statement on free speech.

But the statement now appears on the magazine's website next to a blank picture box with the word "censored" written across it.

Readers are invited to view a link to the controversial cartoon, which shows a cartoonist hunched over a sketch of an Arab, sweating profusely.

It is left ambiguous as to whether this stress is caused by the light he is sitting under or the fact he is tackling a controversial subject by drawing an Arab figure.

Editor Ben Ramm said "for reasons of safety", the cartoon had been pulled from the magazine's printed edition, due out next week.

He said: "The magazine was informed on the evening of Wednesday February 8 by senior officers at Scotland Yard that the editor and his staff could not be guaranteed police protection in the event of publication.

"Despite our wishes and convictions, for reasons of safety the magazine will no longer carry the cartoon itself."

Furore

Mr Ramm said the magazine, originally set up in 1822 to challenge restrictions on free speech, would continue to explore the furore surrounding the cartoons.

"Why, when we have been assured that the recent violent statements of demonstrators represent the opinions of only a small minority, have these extremists been able to effectively censor the press through threat and intimidation?" he said.

"What, exactly, does "finite resources" for the protection of journalists mean, both practically in the UK at this present time and in a healthy democracy at any time?"

He went on: "At what point did we consent to sacrifice this nation's hard-won reputation as a beacon for liberty and freedom of expression?"

In its statement, the magazine insisted it would not be forced into self-censorship by the threat of violence from those who used free speech to vent their anger at the cartoons.

"We are not militant secularists or atheists, but as democrats we believe that everyone should have the right and opportunity to explore their creativity and the creativity of others in the public sphere, and lament censorship in all its forms.

"We do not believe that being offended carries with it the moral power to silence."

The Liberal compared the outbreak of anger with that caused by the publication of Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses a decade ago.

"Independent editors, journalists and artists now find themselves in a position reminiscent of (if less acute than) Rushdie's a decade ago; once again we hear the appeasing voices, apologies and excuses, underestimating all the time the threats posed to the democratic freedoms of us all."

Contact

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said it had been in contact with the magazine.

A spokeswoman said: "The editor of the Liberal magazine contacted the MPS on Wednesday February 8 to make police aware that he intended to publish a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed and was concerned that it could have serious repercussions.

"Whilst it would appear that no criminal offence would be committed if this image was published, having been contacted by the editor police discussed with him the potential consequences of publication.

"The cartoon is one of a series recently published and which has caused widespread offence and violent disorder worldwide.

"We support lawful expressions of views and opinions and it is not the role of the police to control what the media publish or broadcast."

IS the magazine right to refuse to publish the offensive cartoons? Have your say.